I certainly support that, convener. Thank you for allowing me to attend your committee today. I have a personal interest and a political interest in the matter.

When we had the EU’s anti-trafficking co-ordinator in front of the European and External Relations Committee, she was clear about the responsibility of member states, and of regions in those member states, especially when they have different legal set-ups and devolved issues around care, rehabilitation and support and health services. My nod was certainly affirmative.

The cabinet secretary will know that farmers in my constituency of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse are extremely anxious about TTIP. Last week, at the European and External Relations Committee, Lord Livingston went to great pains to suggest that all of the standards are currently exempt.

Will the cabinet secretary tell me what reassurances he has had from the United Kingdom Government on seeking reservations from the European Commission on, in particular, animal health standards, genetically modified organisms, food standards and, of course, protected name status for produce such as Scotch and the Stornoway black pudding, of which my colleague Jamie McGrigor is a great champion?

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with farmers or their representatives on the impact of the transatlantic trade and investment partnership on animal welfare and food standards. (S4O-04037)

Thank you very much for coming to the committee. TTIP has been a matter of great consternation, not just in the committee but among the public, as you will have seen in the public gallery. There has been a lot of very keen interest in TTIP, a lot of fear and possibly a lot of misunderstanding, but maybe some very clear statements from the UK Government would address some of that and allay some of those fears. I hope that we have learned a lot from you this morning and we hope that you have learned a lot from us.

We have to finish there, because we have another agenda item that we must deal with before we finish today. Committees are not allowed to continue when the chamber is sitting, and the Parliament will meet in nine minutes.

That the Parliament notes with concern the findings of Amnesty International’s annual report for 2014-15, which analyses the state of human rights in the world; understands that this report shows a regression in human rights protection around the world, including an increase in threats to freedom of expression and more and more civilian populations forced to live under the control of armed groups; further notes that Amnesty International expresses its concerns on the regression of human rights protection and rights to privacy in the UK as well as on the proposition to replace the Human Rights Act 1998 with a new British bill of rights; understands that this new legislation would have a detrimental impact on human rights protection in Scotland; further understands that Amnesty International calls on world leaders and governments to act urgently to protect people and ensure that there is no regression in the protection of human rights through repressive legislation; hopes that this call will be heard and that every country will work toward a safer world, and commends the Scottish Government on its strategy, Scotland’s National Action Plan for Human Rights.

That the Parliament notes with concern the findings of Amnesty International’s annual report for 2014-15, which analyses the state of human rights in the world; understands that this report shows a regression in human rights protection around the world, including an increase in threats to freedom of expression and more and more civilian populations forced to live under the control of armed groups; further notes that Amnesty International expresses its concerns on the regression of human rights protection and rights to privacy in the UK as well as on the proposition to replace the Human Rights Act 1998 with a new British bill of rights; understands that this new legislation would have a detrimental impact on human rights protection in Scotland; further understands that Amnesty International calls on world leaders and governments to act urgently to protect people and ensure that there is no regression in the protection of human rights through repressive legislation; hopes that this call will be heard and that every country will work toward a safer world, and commends the Scottish Government on its strategy, Scotland’s National Action Plan for Human Rights.

That the Parliament welcomes NHS Lanarkshire’s decision to replace its 0845 telephone advice numbers with free 03 numbers; understands that previously chargeable numbers, such as the Stop Smoking Services, Sexual Health Services and Stress Control Services advice lines will now be free of charge; hopes that patients will now be more inclined to contact the free advice lines to discuss their health concerns, and congratulates NHS Lanarkshire on taking a positive step to assist patients.

That the Parliament welcomes NHS Lanarkshire’s decision to replace its 0845 telephone advice numbers with free 03 numbers; understands that previously chargeable numbers, such as the Stop Smoking Services, Sexual Health Services and Stress Control Services advice lines will now be free of charge; hopes that patients will now be more inclined to contact the free advice lines to discuss their health concerns, and congratulates NHS Lanarkshire on taking a positive step to assist patients.

That the Parliament recognises 22 February 2015 as the European Day for Victims of Crime; notes that several European organisations, such as Victim Support Europe, have signed a joint statement on this issue; understands that this day aims to recognise victims of crimes and give voice to their needs; further understands that the statement calls on states to establish and implement victim support services in order to improve the situation of the victims, and hopes that this call will be heard by the European states and that marking this day will help to raise awareness of this issue.

That the Parliament recognises 22 February 2015 as the European Day for Victims of Crime; notes that several European organisations, such as Victim Support Europe, have signed a joint statement on this issue; understands that this day aims to recognise victims of crimes and give voice to their needs; further understands that the statement calls on states to establish and implement victim support services in order to improve the situation of the victims, and hopes that this call will be heard by the European states and that marking this day will help to raise awareness of this issue.

That the Parliament welcomes the news that Lanarkshire Rape Crisis Centre has been given £47,646 by the Big Lottery Fund Scotland's Young Start Awards; understands that the two-year grant will be used to start a youth empowerment programme that will operate in both North and South Lanarkshire; notes that the project will aim to promote self-confidence and positive attitudes toward gender and sexuality by engaging up to forty 16 to 24-year-olds in workshops, community activities, conferences and media events; further notes that 13-year-olds and upward will also be able to participate through social media, and hopes that projects such as this prove successful in ensuring a positive open society for all.

That the Parliament welcomes the news that Lanarkshire Rape Crisis Centre has been given £47,646 by the Big Lottery Fund Scotland's Young Start Awards; understands that the two-year grant will be used to start a youth empowerment programme that will operate in both North and South Lanarkshire; notes that the project will aim to promote self-confidence and positive attitudes toward gender and sexuality by engaging up to forty 16 to 24-year-olds in workshops, community activities, conferences and media events; further notes that 13-year-olds and upward will also be able to participate through social media, and hopes that projects such as this prove successful in ensuring a positive open society for all.

That the Parliament notes the statement to the Joint Ministerial Working Group on Welfare by 12 Scottish civil organisations including Engender, the Electoral Reform Society Scotland and Scottish Women’s Aid, which raises what it considers the clear evidence shown in research by the House of Commons Library that 85% of cuts to benefits, tax credits, pay and pensions since 2010 have been taken from women’s incomes, including those in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse parliamentary constituency; understands that the statement calls on the UK Government to devolve many of the areas of welfare that are so negatively affecting women due to the present reforms and stipulates that they must be at least to the level of the proposals of the Smith Commission, and notes calls for the UK Government to follow through on the recommendations of the Smith Commission.

That the Parliament notes the statement to the Joint Ministerial Working Group on Welfare by 12 Scottish civil organisations including Engender, the Electoral Reform Society Scotland and Scottish Women’s Aid, which raises what it considers the clear evidence shown in research by the House of Commons Library that 85% of cuts to benefits, tax credits, pay and pensions since 2010 have been taken from women’s incomes, including those in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse parliamentary constituency; understands that the statement calls on the UK Government to devolve many of the areas of welfare that are so negatively affecting women due to the present reforms and stipulates that they must be at least to the level of the proposals of the Smith Commission, and notes calls for the UK Government to follow through on the recommendations of the Smith Commission.

Current Status: Eligible for Members’ Business, Pending Cross Party Support

That the Parliament congratulates Stepchange Debt Charity on its recent Debt Awareness Week 7 Days, 7 Ways programme launch, which is aimed at helping people to get control of their finances and start tackling their debt problems; understands that recent research suggests that 1.8 million adults in Scotland do not have a household budget and a further half a million have a budget that they do not stick to; believes that a detailed household budget is a positive way for a household to get a clear picture of their finances, and considers support from organisations such as Stepchange Debt Charity as a positive move for people who may find themselves requiring support to get debts under control and move forward towards a debt-free future.

That the Parliament congratulates Stepchange Debt Charity on its recent Debt Awareness Week 7 Days, 7 Ways programme launch, which is aimed at helping people to get control of their finances and start tackling their debt problems; understands that recent research suggests that 1.8 million adults in Scotland do not have a household budget and a further half a million have a budget that they do not stick to; believes that a detailed household budget is a positive way for a household to get a clear picture of their finances, and considers support from organisations such as Stepchange Debt Charity as a positive move for people who may find themselves requiring support to get debts under control and move forward towards a debt-free future.

That the Parliament congratulates the patients and staff at Beckford Lodge in Hamilton on their successful completion of an artistic project to design and paint a mural on their courtyard wall; understands that the patients on the long-stay mental health ward took three months to oversee the project, from design through to completion, which resulted in an artist drawing up their idea of featuring the four seasons on the wall, which they then painted after selecting the colours; considers that this project shows the positive results of using artistic endeavour to offer positive focus for the patients and resulted in health benefits from their becoming engrossed in the painting; recognises the positive results that have come from this colourful project, and hopes that projects such as this can be a shining example for others in the future.

That the Parliament congratulates the patients and staff at Beckford Lodge in Hamilton on their successful completion of an artistic project to design and paint a mural on their courtyard wall; understands that the patients on the long-stay mental health ward took three months to oversee the project, from design through to completion, which resulted in an artist drawing up their idea of featuring the four seasons on the wall, which they then painted after selecting the colours; considers that this project shows the positive results of using artistic endeavour to offer positive focus for the patients and resulted in health benefits from their becoming engrossed in the painting; recognises the positive results that have come from this colourful project, and hopes that projects such as this can be a shining example for others in the future.

That the Parliament notes the recent decision by the Government of Fiji to pay compensation to veterans from the islands who participated in the UK's testing of nuclear weapons; understands that the Fijian Prime Minister has said that his country is "not prepared to wait for Britain to do the right thing" and is going ahead with compensation; notes that Neil Sampson of the Atomic Veterans Litigation Group, which is led by Rosenblatts of London, has asked for a meeting with the UK Prime Minister to settle UK veterans' compensation claims; believes that successive UK administrations have acted without morality or ethics with regard to what it considers this long-running injustice, and calls on the present UK administration to settle what it sees as these rightful claims.

That the Parliament notes the recent decision by the Government of Fiji to pay compensation to veterans from the islands who participated in the UK's testing of nuclear weapons; understands that the Fijian Prime Minister has said that his country is "not prepared to wait for Britain to do the right thing" and is going ahead with compensation; notes that Neil Sampson of the Atomic Veterans Litigation Group, which is led by Rosenblatts of London, has asked for a meeting with the UK Prime Minister to settle UK veterans' compensation claims; believes that successive UK administrations have acted without morality or ethics with regard to what it considers this long-running injustice, and calls on the present UK administration to settle what it sees as these rightful claims.

That the Parliament welcomes the figures from the Construction Industry Training Board showing that 2014 was a strong year for Scottish construction, with an output growth of 7%; understands that Scottish construction is set to have a steady growth of 1.1% over the next five years and will require an average of 5,700 new workers annually; further understands that it has benefited from historic highs of infrastructure investments such as the Queensferry Crossing or the M8/M74/M73 improvements and projects such as the new campus for City of Glasgow College or the new Edinburgh BioQuarter for the University of Edinburgh; notes that the Construction Industry Training Board attracted 1,434 new apprentices in 2014, and hopes that this growth will continue to boost employment in Scottish construction.

That the Parliament welcomes the figures from the Construction Industry Training Board showing that 2014 was a strong year for Scottish construction, with an output growth of 7%; understands that Scottish construction is set to have a steady growth of 1.1% over the next five years and will require an average of 5,700 new workers annually; further understands that it has benefited from historic highs of infrastructure investments such as the Queensferry Crossing or the M8/M74/M73 improvements and projects such as the new campus for City of Glasgow College or the new Edinburgh BioQuarter for the University of Edinburgh; notes that the Construction Industry Training Board attracted 1,434 new apprentices in 2014, and hopes that this growth will continue to boost employment in Scottish construction.

That the Parliament notes with concern the conclusions of a recent report by academics from the London School of Economics and the universities of York and Manchester that suggests that UK Government cuts to the benefit system and tax credits have hurt families with children under five harder than any other household group; understands that such cuts hit low income families hardest and that these, along with reductions in income tax for higher earners, have not helped reduce the national deficit; further understands that the report argues that the UK Government’s aim to make the wealthier contribute more to the country’s finances has not been realised, and hopes that this report will raise awareness of what it sees as the disastrous consequences of austerity.

That the Parliament notes with concern the conclusions of a recent report by academics from the London School of Economics and the universities of York and Manchester that suggests that UK Government cuts to the benefit system and tax credits have hurt families with children under five harder than any other household group; understands that such cuts hit low income families hardest and that these, along with reductions in income tax for higher earners, have not helped reduce the national deficit; further understands that the report argues that the UK Government’s aim to make the wealthier contribute more to the country’s finances has not been realised, and hopes that this report will raise awareness of what it sees as the disastrous consequences of austerity.

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to encourage banks to finance small and medium-sized enterprises.

Answered byFergus Ewing
(25/02/2015):

In regular meetings with banks, ministers, Scottish Government officials and our enterprise agencies will discuss access to finance for small and medium sized businesses. For example at the last local economic partnership forum on 4 November 2014, I invited the banks to consider how best to provide information relevant to small businesses to form part an integral of the finance hub on the Scottish business portal.

In tandem, the Scottish Government is providing advisory support through our enterprise agencies - Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Business Gateway, to companies before they approach lenders, helping companies build stronger propositions to improve their chances of securing funding. Viable businesses should be able to access financial products required to support the various stages of their life cycle and aid their start-up, development, growth and internationalisation.

Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 25/02/2015

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to encourage banks to finance small and medium-sized enterprises.

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered the impact of a tax designed to encourage banks to finance small and medium-sized enterprises.

Answered byFergus Ewing
(25/02/2015):

The Scottish Parliament has limited powers over taxation and the majority of taxes paid by banks, including corporation tax, remain reserved to the Westminster Parliament.

However, the Scottish Government, through its enterprise agencies Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and the local authority delivered Business Gateway, continues to work with businesses to help them understand the approach of the banks – the banks risk lending profiles have changed materially since 2008, with availability of security now being absolute key for businesses to be able to secure debt funding, the processing of loans can take longer and companies need to demonstrate that future loan repayments can be met. Businesses need to ensure that they present a viable funding proposition to banks and seek to secure the right funding product for their business.

Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 25/02/2015

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered the impact of a tax designed to encourage banks to finance small and medium-sized enterprises.

To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that banks invest in that part of the economy related to producing goods and services.

Answered byFergus Ewing
(02/03/2015): Scottish Ministers hold regular meetings with the banks to discuss the Scottish Government’s economic priorities, and use every opportunity to reaffirm the importance of investment to continued economic growth.
The Scottish Government is working with the banks to improve the supply of lending and other relevant support, including improving demand from viable Scottish businesses, as well as providing advisory support through our enterprise agencies and Business Gateway to improve their chances of securing finance.

Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 02/03/2015

To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that banks invest in that part of the economy related to producing goods and services.

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with farmers or their representatives on the impact of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership on animal welfare and food standards.

Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25/02/2015

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with farmers or their representatives on the impact of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership on animal welfare and food standards.

To ask the Scottish Government whether the construction of a women’s prison at Greenock will take place as proposed.

Answered byMichael Matheson
(26/01/2015):

I have decided that the current plans for a prison for women in Inverclyde should not go ahead. The proposals do not fit with my vision of how to address female offending, and I have taken the view that a more ambitious approach is required.

I have instructed Scottish Government and Scottish Prison Service officials to undertake a period of extensive engagement with key partners, with a view to investing in smaller regional and community-based custodial facilities across the country.

The Justice Committee have been informed of this decision, and I will be announcing the decision publically later today.

Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Executive. Answered by Michael Matheson on 26/01/2015

To ask the Scottish Government whether the construction of a women’s prison at Greenock will take place as proposed.

To ask the Scottish Government how it is implementing the recommendation by the Commission on Women Offenders that most prisoners held on remand or serving short-term sentences should be held in their local prisons.

Answered byMichael Matheson
(26/01/2015):

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24161 on 26 January 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

To ask the Scottish Government how it is implementing the recommendation by the Commission on Women Offenders that most prisoners held on remand or serving short-term sentences should be held in their local prisons.

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce the number of women prisoners.

Answered byMichael Matheson
(19/01/2015):

The Scottish Government is working in partnership with justice bodies and other agencies to deliver the recommendations of the Commission on Women Offenders (CWO), to improve outcomes for women across the criminal justice system, reduce reoffending and reduce the female prison population.

£3 million has been invested by the Scottish Government from 2013-15 to support sixteen projects delivering new or enhanced services for women offenders in communities across Scotland. The projects have been developed by local justice organisations and their partners and, while a range of approaches are being tested, they are all designed to reflect the CWO’s aspiration for person centred provision of services to reduce reoffending and bring about behavioural change. As well as supporting projects helping women offenders address their problems and aid their future desistance, this funding has also supported projects trialling early intervention for women entering the criminal justice system, trialling enhanced support to the summary court to assist their consideration of non-custodial options, and researching how support for women offenders can be implemented more effectively in rural areas.

The CWO identified mentoring as a key way in which women could be supported. The Reducing Reoffending Change Fund has provided £3 million over 2013-15 to support offender mentoring services for women offenders, which provides practical support and guidance in the community, on release from prison, on remand, or to complete Community Payback Orders. The national mentoring service for women, ‘Shine’, received £2.7 million in 2013-15, and additional funding has also been issued to projects delivered by Tayside Council on alcohol (£311k in 2013-15) and Voluntary Action South Lanarkshire (£179k in 2013-15) to provide offender mentoring provision for men and women in their local areas.

Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 19/01/2015

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce the number of women prisoners.

To ask the Scottish Government whether HMP Inverclyde will follow all of the recommendations set out in the report by the Commission on Women Offenders.

Answered byMichael Matheson
(26/01/2015):

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24161 on 26 January 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: